Happy Hoilett eager to extend stay at Pittodrie

Junior Hoilett is ready to commit his future to Aberdeen.

The Canadian international, who joined the Dons in February on a short-term deal, is out of contract in the summer.

Hoilett opened his account for Aberdeen with two goals in his side’s 5-1 win against Livingston on Wednesday.

The winger, who has also contributed six assists in his 13 appearances for Aberdeen, is ready to talk about extending his stay.

When asked if Wednesday was his last appearance at Pittodrie he said: “I hope not. I am enjoying myself here. We will see what happens over the summer. I have not had discussions over my future yet.”

Interim manager Peter Leven has recommended the club offers Hoilett, who will be 34 next month, a new deal after an impressive series of displays, and the player said: “Peter has been supportive since day one. I have enjoyed my time here and the fans, team-mates and everybody at the club has been really supportive.

“We will have one more game and then we will see what happens over the summer.”

Hoilett’s impact in a short period of time has been significant, but the winger was quick to share the praise with his teammates and interim manager Leven. He said: “Since I have come the team has been supporting me. There is a great group and I am excited to play for the team.

“You can see the talent we have in the squad and it makes it easy for me sometimes.

“Since Peter has come in, he has put confidence in the team and instilled his style of play and you can see the effect it has had on the team. He has brought his style. It has helped us and put confidence and belief in every player.

“It is right throughout the team. I am enjoying my football. It is such a good group and I am loving it.”

Hoilett’s first goal for the club was excellent as he curled a 22-yard free-kick over the wall for his side’s equaliser against Livi.

The winger was relieved to get off the mark and joked he was grateful to get a chance at a set-piece due to team-mate and regular free-kick taker Leighton Clarkson sitting on the bench at the time.

Hoilett said: “It has been a long time coming and I managed to get two so I will take them. I am never far away from the freekicks. I took a previous free kick and hit the bar. We were all over them in the first half and to get my first goal was a blessing.”

Hoilett insists the players are hungry to make it fivein-a-row in their final game of the season at Ross County on Sunday.

He said: “Everybody took confidence from that performance against Celtic.

“The manager put that goal in front of us to win five out of five. We have one more to go.”

Junior Hoilett has scored two goals, with six assists.